A Russian should rejoice if Poland, the Baltic Provinces, Finland, Armenia, should be separated, freed from Russia; so with an Englishman in regard to Ireland, India and other possessions; and each should help to do this, because the greater the state, the more wrong and cruel is its patriotism, and the greater is the sum of suffering upon which its power is founded. Therefore, if we really wish to be what we profess to be, we must not only cease our present desire for the growth of the state, but we must desire its decrease, its weakening, and help this forward with all our might.
Leo TolstoyWhat is reason given me for, if I am not to use it to avoid bringing unhappy beings into the world!
Leo TolstoyI was now prepared to accept any faith so long as it did not demand a direct denial of reason, which would have been a deceit.
Leo Tolstoy